There is a place in South Dakota that combines interesting terrain with eerie legends. It’s Sica Hollow State Park, in the northeastern corner of the state.

Sica Hollow State Park is located 15 miles northwest of Sisseton, S.D. It’s a place filled with ancient mysteries and rugged beauty. The park, part of the Coteau des Prairies Hills, offers a variety of year-round activities and is the source of many Native American legends.

The Native Americans named the hollow “sica” or “evil” because of the stories that were passed down about its dark and damp ravines. Even today, many of the natural occurrences, like the reddish colored swamps, glowing swamp gasses and tree stumps, intrigue visitors and fuel the spooky legends.

There are plenty of recreational opportunities and pastimes in the Hollow. Visitors enjoy hiking through the moderately wooded terrain, picnic along Sica Hollow’s miles of marked trails, bird watching, and snowmobiling. Interpretative guides are available to help hikers learn about the hollow’s streams, rustic bridges, waterfalls, and abundant wildflowers.

The Trail of the Spirits, designated as a National Recreational Trail in 1971, is a self-guided walk which provides a perfect way to explore the natural beauty of Sica Hollow. In the winter months, the hiking trails are ideal for cross-country skiing enthusiasts.Sica Hollow State Park also is home to one of South Dakota’s 13 National Natural Landmarks. The marker for this designation is nearby the trail head for the Trail of the Spirits.

Horseback riding and camping in the park are also favorites of visitors. There are 900 acres of undisturbed woodlands suitable for horseback riding. A rustic horse camp in the park offers water, tie rails, and picnic shelters for overnight visitors interested in sleeping under the stars.

The park is open year-round and has eight horse campsites. Camping in Sica Hollow is by reservation only and can be made by calling the park office at 1-800-710-CAMP or by visiting www.campsd.com.

Mount Rushmore is the world-renowned mountain carving that gives South Dakota its nickname. Typically, most people, even internationally, recognize the carving. Usually they know it’s in the American West, sometimes they need reminders that it’s in South Dakota. A frequently asked question is why are those presidents’ faces on Mount Rushmore? Not everyone knows…this post will spell out who’s on Mount Rushmore National Memorial and why.

George Washington (1st president) represents the birth of the United States. He was the “father of our country.” He led the early colonists to win independence from Great Britain and laid the foundation work for what is the American democracy.

Thomas Jefferson (3rd president) represents the growth of the United States since he expanded our country to double its size with the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson also wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Theodore Roosevelt (26th president) represents the development of the United States, as he was instrumental in building the Panama Canal which opened up trade routes from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, linking the east and the west. Roosevelt also ended the monopolization of large corporate companies to help the working man.

Abraham Lincoln (16th president) represents the preservation of the United States in maintaining the country’s unity during the Civil War, one of America’s greatest trials. He believed it was his duty to preserve the union; he also believed in abolishing slavery.

Funny fact is that initially carvers started with Thomas Jefferson on Washington’s right. After 18 months (that seems like a long time!) the figure was completely dynamited off the mountain. They then began carving Jefferson on the left side of Washington! George Washington’s profile on Mount Rushmore National Memorial can be seen frmo a scenic turnout on South Dakota Highway 244.

This is the third part in a series of Mount Rushmore history posts. The first post and second post can be found by following the links. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society allowed us to share these great pieces of history about Mount Rushmore National Memorial, visit their website for more information. They can also be found on facebook by searching for “Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society.” Information from the National Park Service was also used for this post.

For ideas and trip planning tools for your South Dakota vacation, visit www.travelsd.com, follow us on twitter @travelsd or “like” us on facebook by searching for South Dakota Tourism.

This is a lovely poem, shared by a woman who has been a resident of South Dakota for 82 years. How fun it is to share pieces like this…enjoy!

As Mt. Rushmore celebrates many a year,
It’s with a lot of gusto, festivities and cheer.
The Sunshine State* is such an amazing place.
It’s filled with joy, peace, love and space.
Where we have Great Faces and Great Places too,
The mines, the Badlands and the Great Plains Zoo.
As we look at this land we call our own,
The land of the pasque flower, that is our home.
We look at Spearfish Canyon, in its beauty so bright;
And as we drive through the Black Hills, what a wonderful sight!
And as our Presidents four come into our view,
The pine trees are nodding a greeting or two.
The trees seem to whisper to us a “Hello.”
As we enjoy Custer State Park, we actually glow.
The pheasants, ducks and geese make it a hunters paradise.
And the deer and the antelope that jump high as the skies.
The streams and lakes have more than their share,And all types of fish are living there.
We are proud of our State and our Governor too;
Where the sun always shines and the sky is always blue.
What makes the faces in South Dakota so great?
It’s the friendliness we find in this great state.
And the Presidents four that are made of stone,
Will guard our State till we come Home.
So, it’s Great Faces and Great Places to be,
Vacation here and you’ll totally agree!

Poem by Erma Knutson of Webster, South Dakota.

*Quick South Dakota fact – In 1980, the motto, flag and nickname was changed to The Mount Rushmore State.